We could argue these issues forever, but a vibrant economy in Japan would benefit us all. Look at America's "democracy". Essentially, it was comprised of white property owners. It has been implied that some of the American founding fathers had motives lacking in altruism. Which Asian nation has been the most consistent ally of freedom since World War II? Please join me in wishing Japan optimal success.

*Much* more mature? That's a bold assertion, given the tendency of ultranationlist soldiers and like-minded civilian lunatics to murder politicians they didn't like. Not that I'm very impressed by American politics or politicians, but I find the claim that this particular aspect of Japanese culture is superior to be laughable.

Hello Mr. Tofuox
Found that the single-seat constituency system dangerous turnout is lower. It is because there is an exclusive surface therefore wins where strong organizational skills. I think this is not the same in any country basically I do not of course apply to all. How could it be that much of a national election voter turnout in the United Kingdom.

Hello readers economist.
Japan was the first change of government in 2009, we broke up in more than three years for immature. But to ensure the absorption of public opinion by the two major political parties, party of 12 is up to the forthcoming elections in 2012. It is composed of two major political parties and 10 smallparties. Voter turnout LDP won 43 percent of them in 59.2% of the 100 million voters in the. The lion's share of votes is a 25.4% of the total voters in other words. I accounted for 61% of the total seats at this rate, I feel the contradiction of small constituency system. Rules and say something

You should learn what elections are and how important political stability is. An important thing is to keep politicians on their toes. You know, winning easily means losing easily when many think their performance is bad.

Certainly, Mr. Abe's sumo-sized victory in reality means the conservatives-nostalgia win, just as The Economist indicatess at this title. In fact, only sharply rising share prices prove the shares closely related to the old LDP's policies as the conventionalities of the past such as construction, electric power companies, and conventional manufacturers, mainly supported by lower yen. Rather, the most pessimistic signs appear at lower share prices of new emeging indusries, for example related to IT technology. In fact, amid persistent deflation, the basic change of industrial structure since the early 2000s continues to appear from old manufacturing as the conventionalities of the past to service sector such as health care and nursing care with lower productivity and lower wage, caused by too rigid regulations, just like no agricultural policy, making it internationally competitive. Even if aggressive "unlimited easing" and "unlimited public speding" are adopted by recklessly bold Mr. Abe's conservative-nostalgia, a humster's wheeling of abundant money will persistently continue without meeting new good investment opportunities where emerging new companies in the new bisiness fields such as advanced manufacturing and service sector really need risky investment money for IPOs and any other startups of new SMEs. The old conventional industries will be more profitable, only due to lower yen and "unlimited easing and public speding", without doing new invetments and so needing new money. Where will the more and more purchased risky assets by the BoJ go?

My only excuse was that I was so shocked by the thought that in today's world where access to enough information for anyone to triangulate multiple sources of evidences, there could still be people who would deny that the NM is a historical event.
(Oh, how I wish that, like in Germany, Japan would make it illegal for anyone to exert publicly that the Nanjing Massacre, as in the Nazi Holocaust, had not occurred.

Fine, the two atomic weapons dropped on Japan was actually the work of Godzilla, and the firebombing of tokyo the emperor's birthday fireworks went out of control. He was heard to play the flute while the city burned.

Why the hell people go from a 2012 political election article to all this arguing about Japan's poisition in WWII or Najing massacre?

Hey, those are valid issues to be discussed, but give us a break and let's focus on what's really on discussion here.

I have some Japanese friends and it's incredible how apathetic they are about politics. It's a world-wide common phenomenon that young people aren't that much into politics, but in Japan I always get the feeling that it's a little more profound and serious matter.

Anyways, this or that political party when elected in Japan doesn't actually define what we should expect in their plans of decision - it's not like Republicans x Democrats in US; and that is also explained by the aforementioned question of a lukewarm reception from the voters about politics but maybe it also means hoping that definite issues are to be dealt with as they should:

best diplomatic relations with China where it strengthens the Japanese economy in opposition to depending so much of american financial market;

return to expanding japanese presence in developing markets as (again) China has been doing in Africa and inside BRIC;

return to exporting technology to new partners through bilateral agreements or direct investments. There are plenty of countries in the G-20 in need of technology and know-how which can be imported from Japan. Japan was never a commodities exporter country, instead it should really move back to exploring new markets in selling what they are the best at;

return to being innovate in traditional markets as they used to do. For a long time, Japanese cars, for example, were the pinpoint for groundbreaking design and safety. However, companies such as Hyundai are just taking their places after importing for over a decade Japanese workers and technology. The same goes with LG x Sony / Samsung x Sony Ericsson in electronics and mobile;

Sorry sir, but I'm not even answering to that.
If you have any opinion about what can be done about some specific current problems in Japanese politics, I'm totally open to discuss it. That's what I'm interested in, as for that's what led me to read this article and comment on it.

but I was only trying to point out the root causes of the 'specific current problems in japanese politics'.

because of the fact that japan is a vassal state, there are taboo or off limit areas such as japns sovereign that japns politicians can not address, except for some right wing extremists who would raise the matter in veil form and only vaguely.

sovereign touches not just foreign and military policy but also major financial policy. without a solid sovereign to bank on, it's difficult to bring focus of major domestic problems japan is experiencing.

that's why the election was a non-issued election and candidates tried to snatch votes based on his/her personal charm, charisma or family political lineage (like many others who won, mr abe had two or three prime ministers in his family).

non-issue election is typical of a vassal state with local democracy. it's not that voters don't have specific issues of current problems, but they are resigned to the fact that there's no use to discuss them openly and it does not make any difference who wins in the end.

it's not up to the japns prime minister on major japns issues anyway unless the defacto controllor the us is brought to bear. that's why mr abe is slated to call on washington as the first order of business come january.

In regard to your suggestions about Japanese exports, QE will take care of that. Japan should simply revamp its domestic economy into growth. Mr. Abe is determined.

As for Japanese politics, it is not as bad as US politics. I do think that the Japanese envy the enthusiasm in American politics but they do not envy the result. Politics isnot just a show. It is about results. The wealth gap is really terrible. Maybe 15 years of deflation was not as bad. This may be how the Japanese feel.

In regard to your suggestions about Japanese exports, QE will take care of that. Japan should simply revamp its domestic economy into growth. Mr. Abe is determined.

As for Japanese politics, it is not as bad as US politics. I do think that the Japanese envy the enthusiasm in American politics but they do not envy the result. Politics isnot just a show. It is about results. The wealth gap is really terrible. Maybe 15 years of deflation was not as bad. This may be how the Japanese feel.

I'm not sure it's so simple as you put it... Japanese domestic economy is really one of the factors to help improving Japan's situation, one of the reasons for that being the great amount of deposits the always-saving Japanese people cuturally keep - totally opposite to the american consumerism; however, it's not enough. By far.

(like many others who won, mr abe had two or three prime ministers in his family).

--- So that's another problem with Japan: Too many princelings, causing inbreding in political thinking at the expenses of ordinary Japanese people. These politicians are accustomed to play servant to the US military stationed in Japan, like their fathers or grandfathers did.

”I have some Japanese friends and it's incredible how apathetic they are about politics. It's a world-wide common phenomenon that young people aren't that much into politics, but in Japan I always get the feeling that it's a little more profound and serious matter.”

There are two simple reason that explains the apathy of Japanese youths to politics:

1. They are demographically defeated even before the poll is counted : They are outnumbered by geriatrics.
2. True power (and the true enemy) resides in the bureacracy of Kasumigaseki, and no elections can get at those Appratchiks/Mandarins...

#2 -> You sound like S. Ishihara.
#1 -> Maybe not. I think it has more to do with the culture; That it is not perceived as cool to actively talk about politics when you are young, especially when living in Japan seems quite peaceful ... although the media says it is terrible. On the other hand, the young people in the US might be like "Hey we are in trouble. We've got to do something!" I think the young Japanese are quite fortunate to be in that position.

台毒-害台灣3 hours 5 mins ago
Japan had committed crimes against Chinese, Taiwanese and other Asian people before and during the World War 2. One thing that should have been on the agenda of this Japanese election is what one poster has wrote in no uncertain terms in this magazine:

yap, but there's no need for japns sky king to kill himself now. japns are being punished enough.

you see, because or before their ww2 surrender, japan is the only country being nuked, and twice. japan is the only country in the world that is still being completely occupied and controlled by a foreign power ever since ww2.

germany has some allied bases and detachments of allied troops, but nowhere near as completely occupied as japan is with so many bases all over japan plus naval ports. even the headquarter of japns air force is now relocated inside an american base in japan. the choke hold is complete, thorough and devastating to japns psyche.

and japan today has little or no say to its own foreign policy (and even its financial policy) without being first cleared or advance approved from the us. that's why japans elections are reduced to mostly local agenda as pseudo-democracies are.

it's no surprise that among the very first thing mr abe did after his election was to call us president mr obama to plead his allegiance to the usa by saying the usa is japan's 'only friend'. it's not that mr abe is weak or anything, such bootlicking is necessary if mr abe wants to keep his new job for a while.

that's why I said japns are being punished enough regardless how japns feel about themselves on this or about the whole thing.

I am a Japanese person who recently moved to US. I grew up in Japan for whole my life.

I can say that there is no charismatic and accountable leader like Obama or Romney in US. I never ever saw politicians like them in Japan. Presidential election last month was eye-opening for me. America is a unique country with politicians who have both real intelligence and people skill. Behind this lies the fact that democracy is something your country developed by itself, I believe. Not imported from abroad as Japan did after WWII.

At least for now, there is no productive debating culture or education in Japan(in fact, I had a debate at school just once though I am a graduate of one of top universities.), which I believe that lets quality of political debate and discussion very very low.
In average, people including major politicians, journalist and activists don't know how to build persuasive and productive discussions with good questions and answers with evidence/numbers/facts.
They often look like kids' battle of words. So much gossips and no focus, no priorities. Repeats of same boring past.

As a result of the above situation, election has been a popularity poll for many years.
If you look at each parties' manifest, they look alike a lot. Not many substantial differences.
People don't go to vote because there is no politicians for whom they wanna vote.

I don't say it's impossible to change.
But it takes time. We need to educate people and promote more productive discussion, decisions and actions.
People also need to get over their pessimistic attitude, which is probably the biggest obstacle...

I think you are right. But the biggest reason for Japan's lack of progress is because Japan is still occupied by the United States after WW II. It dealt a crushing blow to Japanese confidence of themselves.

But it's impossible for the United States to leave Japan because of Japanese remorselessness of Japam's past war crimes. This may not be important to Japanese people, but the world is watching without saying much. It's Japanese people's own responsibility to reflect on its past.

Japan was perfectly democratic before WW2. More democratic than the US (the blacks did not have right to vote until 1965 in the US).
Also, the enthusiasm that Americans have for politics might be something the Japanese might envy, but the result of American politics is terrible ... consistently widening wealth gap since the Reagan years.
Please remember. Politics is not all the Presidential debates ... it is the results.
American politics is corrupt (favors the rich and big businesses) and Japanese corruption is just peanuts. I think Mr. Ozawa recently was sued over 5 million dollars which is nothing compared to what the lobbyists receive in Washington.
So, do not feel so bad that you were born in Japan. You have great history and future!

I think we have different definition for 'democratic'.
I don't think having no slavery system is enough to say it's democratic.
Of course, there is no perfect society.
America has many other problems which we don't have in Japan, such as health insurance, huge economic disparities, gun control, so much drug, Guantanamo etc.
Still if I monitor both political debate and decisions in two countries, I say US has more matured ones.
US also has more world leading think tanks.

Talking about results brought by governments, I don't think result delivery is better in Japan at all.
Smaller scale of corruption is good than bigger.
But I don't know how much it can help today's Japanese politics.
At least, it does not encourage Japanese voters enough to participate more seriously in politics.

But, Yeah, I agree that we have great long history.
And we have... hopefully great future and definitely great food!!

"Japan was perfectly democratic before WW2. More democratic than the US (the blacks did not have right to vote until 1965 in the US)."

Except

1) There is no blacks, or any material non-Asians in Japan pre-WWII

2) Japanese corruption is peanuts? Then why don't we talk about all those nuclear power plants, which somehow were all staffed by former members of the nuclear regulatory authority, yet were unable to act on the fact the reactors were not safe?

The fact that American military was pretty laid back prior to WW2 is probably because it faced very little threat. Until it stuck its nose deeply in Asian matters ... ended up causing Pearl Harbor. Here is my argument.

The Japanese situation was simply quite different than the US. There was a reason why Japanese military was on its toes and US military was enjoying their vacation ... remember how laid back they were to allow Pearl Harbor to be easily attacked?

The Chinese bandits were constantly terrorizing the Japanese in Manchuria and violated Japanese rights (prior to Manchurian incident basically invited Japanese intervention), the Soviets created their first satellite state Mongolia in 1925 and were actively lurking around in Manchuria around the time of Manchurian incident (the following year PM Inukai was shot).

So, it is not so simple to compare the two democracies prior to WW2.

Let's look at another aspect.

The US had anti-immigrations laws and blatantly racist laws (which is anti-democratic). Japan, on the other hand, implemented racial (5-races) harmony in its protectorate Manchuria Empire.

Now. Who was more democratic? It is not as black and white as you suggested.

"The US had anti-immigrations laws and blatantly racist laws (which is anti-democratic). Japan, on the other hand, implemented racial (5-races) harmony in its protectorate Manchuria Empire.

Now. Who was more democratic? It is not as black and white as you suggested."

I have no intention of defending anything about the American political system, I think it's deeply flawed. But whether you have racist laws or militarist fanatics killing democratically elected legislators, the result is the same: the will of the people is blatantly disregarded. Furthermore, I notice you haven't commented on how women in Japan only got the vote in 1947. A bit late for such a supposedly mature and well-functioning democracy, don't you think?

I hope there aren't many people like you in Japan despite the apparent swing to extreme right-wing politics in Japan this year. I truly shocked that you could deny:

1) that the Nanjing Massacre is a historical fact
2) that Japan was very brutal when it occupied Singapore between 1942 - 1945, so it was not glorious but utterly disgraceful, animal-like behaviour (torture, mass graves, rapes, sex-slaves, etc)
3) that Japan's surrender in WW2 was unconditional

Was your knowledge of WW2 history from textbooks used in Japanese schools? Because, if it is written the way you understands it, then it is very SCARY indeed!!!

Which info source are you using to talk about Japanese politics?
Japan is not taking the way to extreme right-wing, don't worry.
Majority people just did not like DPJ, they are not really supporting LDP. Even Abe made a comment which admitted this.
I hate Ishihara for his stupid comments on diplomacy.

I studied Nanjing massacre in my history class.
There is no records officially accepted in international community but I believe that some large scale killing must have happened.
And for sure there was brutal behaviors of Japanese soldiers during the war. Because it was a war. There were trials for war crimes.
Based on Potsdam Declaration, Peace Treaty signed in San Francisco, other bilateral treaties and agreements, and rule of international law, Japanese government completed compensation process.

Every year on anniversary of end of WWII, I pray for victims including those killed in Nanjing, Korea, Singapore, Thai, Philippines, other Asian countries, Hawaii as well as all the Japanese people who sacrificed their lives to protect their family and the country.
My grandfather ,who passed away a few years ago, used to say from his sickbed that he really did not want to go to war.

I feel really sad that so many Asians get manipulated by mass media and misunderstand about us.
Should discuss more about future, too. This is one of the reason why Asia has not achieved unity like Europe.

We never forget what happened and wanna work hard together so that our future prospers. Please understand that.

Referring to you previous post, you started with "I like Japanese modern culture" stuff ...

But inside, you are full of propaganda-induced bias towards Japan. I thought the level of education was quite high in Singapore. Maybe it is just in science and mathematics ...

You will be more shocked to find out that the history you were taught is not really history.

Let's start with #3.

If you check the text of "the instrument of surrender" (Sept. 2, 1945) signed in Tokyo Bay aboard USS Missouri, it is clearly stated that Japan surrendered by accepting the terms of Potsdam declarations (which US later violated).

Now, what people intentionally confuse is that Potsdam declaration stipulated "unconditional surrender of Japanese armed forces".

Somehow, somebody misinterpreted this when he/she wrote your history textbook. So, it should be corrected, but it is really up to the people of Singapore to do so.

What is such a statement?
I never disrespect the honor of people who sacrificed lives for my country.
At the same time, I never support behaviors of anyone which are specified as a crime in law.
A PKO soldier who commits a rape during his mission will never be accused because their intention of protecting people is good?
An American soldier who abused detainees in Iraq would never be accused because their intention of protecting the country is good?
No.
You are just unnecessarily inflaming sentiment by agitating.

BTW, how did you check the facts about history of WWII?
Did you use a time machine and go there to see by yourself?
There is no fact.
It is our own choice which information we believe.

Ridiculous. You can do a lot without a time machine. Especially when we are talking about things 70 years ago. There are records and transcriptions ... for example, how the "judges" treated evidence at Tokyo Trials. Don't give up just because you do not have a time machine. The facts are out there.

Also, you say you never disrespect the honor of those sacrificed their lives of their countries? That is great.

But don't you think that admitting Nanjing (which is a complete hoax) is disrespect to the Japanese who fought for their country?

How would you define "extreme right wing"? People who disagree with you?
Free market?
The war is over...
Japsn paid the price with the fire bombings of Tokyo and with Hiroshima and Nagasaki..
It's time to move on folks.
What about America and Vietnam. China? Mao made Stalin and Hitler look like kittens...

No, I don't see it that way.
This is our official interpretation, too.
Read the following if you can read Japanese.
This statement is made by Japanese MOFA when Nagoya governor, Kawamura said the exactly same thing as you.

This statement (cabinet decision) was irresponsibly made by a left-wing (therefore anti-Japan) who, by some accident, became a prime minister of Japan in 1995. It certainly does not reflect the sentiments of the majority of Japanese people. It is way one-sided ... Japanese have a habit of being too self-critical which has a nasty consequence in the international community.

Mr. Abe will make a cabinet decision to reverse this or at least make it more clear so people do not misunderstand.

He already said he will make a cabinet decision to reverse comfort women statement by Y. Kouno (which had no basis in the first place).

I wouldn't let any misguided sense of familial obligation stop me from wanting to get at the truth, personally, although shock, anger and denial would probably be the first responses. Besides, there have been plenty of IJA veterans who have admitted to what they did. How do you feel about them?

"Understanding of history should be based on the facts. Not what you believe might have happened because people say so ..."

It seems, if anything can be inferred about not wanting to even acknowledge the possibility that your grandfathers might not have been the noble patriotic heroes you would like to think they are, your understanding of history is based on what you would prefer to believe. After all, I'm not sure where you get your facts from, although I'm guessing they're Japanese and right-wing, but you are very quick to denounce as hoaxes any other facts that you find unpleasant.

Simon, I agree with you.
This whole discussion is going to a wrong direction. Not fruitful at all.
But it was interesting to see a person, probably non Japanese, with such a right-wing opinions for Japan.

Mike, I am impressed with your knowledge about Japan but your explanation about Murayama administration in 1995 and Kouno danwa have nothing to do with the info I provided as a MOFA statement.
Koizumi from LDP made the stand in this MOFA statement clear in responding to questions in the Diet in 2005.

>1) that the Nanjing Massacre is a historical fact
Before you go any father, how many people died at the Massacre do you think?
If you are talking about systematic killing of 300 thousand civilians in 3 weeks, then that's total fabrication. (You should compare this number and time with the 'throughput' at Treblinka to see what I mean).
Now, I think massacre of several thousand did take place, in the same way the SS wiped out whole villages for the sake of one partisan. There is just no physical way that a 1930s infantry corps of less than 30,000, without any resupply or support, could kill ten times its own numbers in three weeks, or even six.
Many Japanese deniers of Nanjing denies about the Chinese versions of it. Many do admit some indiscriminate killing of civilians did happen. Still, they are arguing about it in the worst ways possible. Better response would be to simply tell the Chinese that "sexing up" the number of dead does not add horror to the act, but only demeans the dead.

My excuses. That was not Murayama stuff. I certainly did sound like it.

Last note ...

Some indiscriminant killing always tragically happens when there is confusion. There were a few tens of thousand Chinese troops abandoned their uniforms and hiding among the civilians (in the Safety Zones) to terrorize the Japanese troops. Now, abandoning your uniform is illegal and they are not subject to any war-time convention.

The Japanese army called for open-city prior to combat and are not really responsible for creating the confusion. It was the Chinese general that abandoned Nanjing without a chain of command ... which led to chaos.

Now, that is the background for "some indiscriminant killings". There is no mention of "massacre" anywhere.

So, do not exaggerate the statement with your own imagination. You are dishonoring those who fought fiercely to capture Nanjing. If you still want to do it, you should first give up your Japanese passport.

Actually its not total fabrication. It was roughly six weeks. The total number of Chinese who died during WW2 was 20 Million (soldiers and civilians). The war in China lasted 8 years. or 96 months. About 200,000 dead per month. In Rwanda, they butchered 500,000 in 100 days with just machetes.

If you add up all the people who died as a result of hunger and disease, its likely that 200-300 K died. So the numbers of 200-300K is very possible, but the question is did they all die at the hands of the Japanese.

I'm a Chinese, and I just recommended your post.
On one hand, governments are constantly manipulating their peoples for their dirty reasons, on the other history is just things that happened. At some point, we have to let bygones be bygones, which I don't think is something many governments want to do for their dirty reasons.
Hatred is being fostered. It's a shame.

I'm a Chinese, and I just recommended your post.
On one hand, governments are constantly manipulating their peoples for their dirty reasons, on the other history is just things that happened. At some point, we have to let bygones be bygones, which I don't think is something many governments want to do for their dirty reasons.
Hatred is being fostered. It's a shame.

From speaking to friends and family, it seems that a lot of people were going to support one of the smaller parties, but when it came to it they plumped for the "safe" option instead: the LDP.

I don't really see the LDP placing much emphasis on revising the pacifist constitution over the coming years, though. It is, in all honesty, a non-issue that will win little, if any, public support. Revitalising the economy is far more important.

The public would be very happy if they improved the education and woeful childcare systems, as well, but that won't happen as long as patriarchal dinosaurs remain in charge.

If the economy improves there will be much more demand for better childcare system (more jobs will be created), so I would imagine that will get done automatically. The current situation is because the economy has not grown and thus the necessary budget simply was not there.

As for changing the constitution, it has been one of the most important long-term goals (but has been forgotten), so I imagine Mr. Abe will get it done as well, especially now that he has the parliamentary support. It will probably be the most important accomplishments in his carrier, besides turning the economy around and return of official visits to Yasukuni (and making it non-issue).

The government could always reallocate its budget for public works programmes (which, by the sounds of it, is set to increase) to both of these, as the demand is already huge. This would have a greater long-term impact on growth than yet more roads. I think there is little will to do this within the LDP, but I would be happy to be proved wrong.

On the consitution, I still don't think Abe is foolish enough to cut off his nose to spite his face anytime soon. Aggrovating China, Japan's biggest trading partner, would cause huge problems for the country's biggest companies and severely hamper economic growth.

There are some fixed dates on the Japanese Political Calender next year, such as the 3-yearly Upper house election in July. The whole political farce leading up to the recent Lower House election was partly affected by that fixed date.

Now that LDP is back in firm control of the Lower House, their main target is to make the Economy look good in Second Quarter 2013, in order to regain the control of the Upper House. That means the following:
1. Top priority is to restore damaged relationship with the US
2. No rocking of the boat against China (definitely no Yasukuni visits before July 2013, and probably even after that if the relationship does improve by then)
3. Massive supplementary budget (maybe 10 Trillion Yen plus) as an economic stimulus.

Since The Economist must be aware of the same Political Timetable, I find TE's inability or unwillingness to draw conclusions 1. and 2. on their own disturbing...

One more important date is the assignment of new Bank of Japan Chief. That will be in April.

He already said yesterday he will choose someone who can pursue aggressive macroeconomic policy to drive Japan out of deflation because he knows Shirakawa's QE will be just superficial and kill the jump start that Japanese economy needs.

Also, not so sure if Mr. Abe will postpone his visit to Yasukuni. He may go as early as April. He will put his political carrier on the line ... I would not be surprized. Besides, I think the majority will support it, and he will have a chance to clearly explain what Yasukuni means to the Japanese people.

He already failed once, so I don't think he is afraid. Restoration party will support them too.

I would put your #3 on #1. Relationship with the US will repair itself since it is also in the interest of the US.

The budget for next year will be very important. He will have to do a lot to achieve 2% inflation. Simulations show (Nikkei NEEDS macroeconomic model) even 50 trillion per year on public investment will take 2-3 years to achieve 2% inflation.

(fixed interest rate assumption was used -> if the interest rates on government bonds climb above certainly level, BOJ will absorb all of them).

In regard to The Yasukuni Shrine, there is a lot of irony. What if an American president refused to visit Arlington National Cemetary or an English monarch did not show respect for veterans who have perished? Have all our honoured dead been above reproach?

"What if an American president refused to visit Arlington National Cemetary or an English monarch did not show respect for veterans who have perished? Have all our honoured dead been above reproach?"

Actually, there is one big difference. The surviving Japanese soldiers of the War almost never told their children what they did in the war. They have taken their secrets to their grave, denying us the means to prove or refute claims by foreign powers, no matter how outlandish, of the atrocities they allegedly committed.

As it was their collective wish that their act be forgotten, we should honour it fully and raze the Yasukuni Shrine for good. Good riddance.

What about those who fought in Russo-Japanese war? Those who fought Boshin war and etc. Your idea is quite inconsiderate.

Besides, what atrocities? Is the US military taking the badge away from those recently confessed about what the US troops did during their retreat from the Philippines (murdering the whole local village residents)?

Mr. Anjin-San:
Thank you for your comment. I recall reading a translation of a German history book which included a brief rendition of The Third Reich. American and British versions of The American Revolution differ. Certainly, Americans rather talk about other wars than Vietnam. I have had many conversations with older Japanese people. I don't recall any of them wishing that they could go back to Tojo. Little Rock, in America, was more recent. Are The British proud of all their acts regarding former colonies? How many Americans are taught that Spain met all demands but was attacked anyway? The Yasukuni Shrine should be razed when all nations around the world do likewise with their national cemeteries. It is time to move on....

Ten years as an English Instructor on The Kanto Plane has taught me that the Japanese people should never be underestimated when it comes to character, persistance, resourcefulness and patience. Think about what the world has learned from them in regard to manufacturing, say nothing of other constructive aspects of the culture. With the return of Abe and the LDP, Japan may have a revolution which could be defined as Reaganesque. Since America has chosen the road paved by Greece and Spain, The Land of The Rising Sun may be the new City on a Hill.

'Ten years as an English Instructor on The Kanto Plane has taught me that the Japanese people should never be underestimated when it comes to character, persistance, resourcefulness and patience.'
/
/
very true. that's why americans should never forget about the pearl harbour attack, or its potential second coming.

Having said that, one of the most impressive thing that happened after 9/11 was that there was almost no mention of either "Kamikaze" or "Pearl Harbor" from the September 12th onwards in any of the US media. There was a conscientious effort to stop anyone liking the 9-11 attacks with Japan in any way.

The irony lies in the fact that it was the Japanese Red Army who lay at the origin of suicide attacks in the Middle East. So, 9-11 was indeed a bastard grandson of kamikaze...

Japanese Prime Ministers come and go, it's the American military bases and troops that stay put in Japan.

That alone tells a lot about Japanese political system these days.

There's no need to make too much of what Japanese politicians did or did not say, or if they will go visit Yasukuni war criminal ghost temple or not. It simply does not matter to the overall Asian picture when you come right down to it.

Japanese political system is well accustomed with the revolving chair game of its politicians and this time was no different except that it brought the old guard LDP to guide the country through the difficult economic times of no growth. Hope the thumping majority will give LDP the impetus to launch the much needed reforms in all sectors especially the economy.

As a Singaporean, I see the "granduer" of Japan in the form of economic icons all over my country. I feel proud that an Asian country can be as modern and successful as any Western nation. I had read that Japan "freed" Asians from the yoke of Western colonisation. I feel proud that they did. Besides, I like modern Japanese culture of politeness and minimalistic decor in all their design, and clean and hygienic preparation of food (think of sushi and sashimi). This, unfortunately, is not so anymore ever since I have recently read about their wish to revise their constitution and their voting in the new PM Abe whom his grandfather is actually a WW2 criminal. No wonder he insist on visiting the Shrine (cant remember the name) which honors Japan's war criminals together with innocent fallen soldiers. Oh, Japan, why why, cant you learn from the Germans? Cut the philosopical ties with your past war criminals, and also that stupid "Bushido" creed, else, your present innocent generation will inevitably "pay" the price of bad karma to those that do not want to atone for past evil.

ps. For those innocent (present generation) Japanese's sake, teach them the truth in their school textbooks about what their previous generation did. Do not deny what the previous generation did. Afterall, it isnt their own crime, provided they acknowledge the truth of the past, and show some sincerity in feeling remorse. Then the past will be past, else others will always have this fear of your re-militarisation.

Only a Singaporean of slave mentality can write such post about a enslaved country. I have visited Singapore before, but I am appalled to see it has slave minded people like you posting.
Do you know how many Singaporeans and British people the Japanese killed during its attack of Singapore in World War II?

Mr. Abe will probably visit Yasukuni soon, but it is not just for his grandfather (his grandfather did not die in combat so he is not resting in Yasukuni, I think). He is just going to pay respects to those died for the country, just like US president pays respects at Arlington memorial. There is no judgment involved.
If you consider yourself an Asian, you should know a bit more about WW2 and how it got started and ended. It is not just "One day, Japan invaded Manchuria. One day, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor."
In short, the victors (the allies) simply forced all the war responsibilities to Japan's so-called war criminals without giving them a fair trial. Injustice of Tokyo trials is well-documented. If you are interested I refer you to "The Tokyo Trials: The Unheard Defense" in the following link.http://www.sdh-fact.com/CL02_1/result.php?word=ZW
You seem to carelessly put the Germans and Japanese on the same level, and I think it is a bad habit, although you probably do not mean it. What do they have in common besides they were allies?
Did you know, for example, that H. Tojo helped Europe-fled Jews escape through Manchuria when he was Chief-of-Staff of Kanto Army in Manchuria? Did you know that Nanjing is just a hoax? If you consider yourself pro-Japanese or even a fair person, you might want to think twice before carelessly forcing bad karma on the Japanese (past, now, and future generations). I think the time is ripe for looking back at history objectively without judgments.
Many Japanese still remember that glorious day ... February 15, 1942. I am sure those in Yasukuni are still praying for the prosperity of Singapore!